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I haven't even finished this book, and I think a little light bulb just went off in the author's brain. The more he writes, the more he realizes the absurdity of this institution. With every page, the author gets more and more funny. He was raised catholic, and I think he went into this book with the intention of explaining the process for becoming a saint. But then, he started to look at the facts, and said, "What the Fiddle-dee-dee?" This is another tome about the corruption of the vatican (I am purposely not capitalizing certain words. Stay with me). Some of the crazy shenanigans that go on behind the scenes are just mind-boggling. Do these people really think they can get someone into Heaven? Seriously?
I can't believe that millions of people around the world queue up to see a man who gets dressed just like any other girl on any given day:he pulls his dress on over his head. What a great country it would be if we welcomed Jesus like we welcomed a man who wears a pointy hat.
This is a solid and decent Kindle Single, but the title is worthy of a full-length book and ultimately it disappoints because Bill Donahue tries to cover too much surface with too little depth. Unfortunately, a Kindle Single is far too brief to sufficiently cover the "Mysterious Process of Anointing the Holy Dead". Where "The Secret World of Saints" succeeds is when Donohue focuses squarely on the story of Kateri Tekakwitha, Mohawk Indian. Pope Benedict recently announced she would be canonized as a saint, the first Native American Catholic Saint. While Donahue began his work before this papal announcement, the story of Tekawitha is the interesting part, not the outcome of her sainthood. When Donahue stays focused on Tekawitha, including the most recent circumstances of the micaculous recovery of a Bellingham, WA boy from a flesh-eating bacteria, the story is engaging. However, as Donahue tries to go deeper about sainthood, its history, how it has changed over the years, etc., the brevity works against him and leaves the reader looking for far more than he delivers in this work.
Having followed the cause of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha for several years, I was absolutely fascinated to read Donahue's account of her life and the wonderful first person accounts about the miracle attributed to her intervention and ultimate canonization. Although this is an entertainingly rapid read, Donahue interjects too much judgement on individual saints who are not around, anymore, to defend themselves. Nonetheless, having learned, on my own, to love and support Saint Kateri's cause, I believe Donahue's account of her road to canonization would receive her approval. Likewise, Saint Kateri would also, I believe, forgive Donahue's salient cynicism projected to other saints and to the Vatican.
Arguably, of all the laughable aspects of religious superstition, miracles and their doers -the saints- are the most laughable. I assumed that "The Secret World of Saints" would be a savage satire of such ludicrous institutions, a la Hitchens, perhaps. But I was wrong. Bill Donahue chooses a lighter and gentler touch. Perhaps because he meets the family of a child who supposedly benefits from the magical intercession of a long-deceased Mohawk lady he shows remarkable restraint in the treatment of such nonsensical claims. His scorn is mainly devoted to the memory of the blatant tricks of Padre Pio. Still, Donahues' little book does not disappoint. We understand that he thinks it is all a grotesque and primitive superstition, but he just does not want to offend anybody. That's OK by me.
The title of this book is what drove me into this book at 2am. However, I was a little disappointed. It was not a terrible read. It was very informative. However, the title misled me. I thought that I would truly learn some secrets! Or to the least that I would learn something that I did not know already. None of this happened. It scratched at the surface but couldnt break the ice.
Enjoyed reading about Saints in tis book. While having been brought up Catholic and aware of many saints, I found this book still very interesting as well as educational. Always can learn something new and this book provided me with the tool to do so!
A very interesting look at the history of, and path to, sainthood. Highly recommended for those who want a clear, engaging, and well written explanation of the process.
![The Secret World of Saints: Inside the Catholic Church and the Mysterious Process of Anointing the Holy Dead (Kindle Single) by [Donahue, Bill]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51%2Bk9VRw7kL._SY346_.jpg)
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